The Vice-Presidency of the Government, through the Regional Centre for Handicrafts (CRAA), promotes the submission of applications to the Incentive Scheme for the Development of the Azores Handicrafts (SIDART) for the year 2017. The application period runs from February 15 to March 21.
 
According to the order published today in the Official Journal, the support measure cover projects ranging from training to the investment in Craft Production Units (UPA) based in the Region.
 
Under SidArt, established under the Azorean Agenda for Employment Creation and Business Competitiveness, the Government supported 130 projects in 2016, representing a total investment of 374 thousand Euros.
 
Currently, there are 518 registered craft production units in the Azores while there were 350 in 2012, which corresponds to a growth of 45% in just four years.
 
The emergence of more 159 companies reveals a new dynamics in the sector and falls within the strategic goals to encourage the use of new business opportunities, underpinned by the increase of tourism flows, stimulate self-employment and create new jobs. Moreover, it contributes to the maintenance of the population and young people in their area of residence, always in a perspective of ensuring the Region's harmonious development and highlighting the raw materials and existing craft arts from each island.
 
Applications to SidArt are made on the CRAA site at www.artesanato.azores.gov.pt.